Second place was given to Jeff Brasher of Texas, with the third place awarded as a tie between Jessica Charters of Arizona and Joe Rosinki of Oregon. Award recipients were announced May 8th at the National Restaurant Association Show 2012 in Chicago, where Simpli OatShakes received a Food & Beverage Product Innovation Award.

“Cool, hip, healthy and all natural Simpli OatShakes inspired a whole lot of musical genius,” said Simpli co-founders Helena Lumme and Mika Manninen. “We received rap, country, ballads and more, all accompanied by skillfully crafted videos. The creativity, talent, and professionalism on display wasn’t just amazing, it was inspiring.”

The contest winners were chosen from eight “oat-standing” finalists whose entries best represent the new, fun and deliciously healthy habit of “Drinking Your Oats.” The finalists were chosen on the merits of originality, “simpli-ness” and coolness, and the ability to make the Simpli OatShakes brand name memorable and meaningful.

Available in three delicious, thick and creamy flavors: Chocolate, Tropical Fruit and the newest OatShake Coffee, all-natural OatShake is a perfect alternative to soy, rice, and dairy products — containing no dairy, eggs, wheat, nuts, soy or artificial ingredients. OatShakes are 100% free of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) and are also vegan-certified. OatShakes can be found on store shelves nationally and are now sold in 38 states and more than 1200 stores.

About Simpli

The idea for Simpli OatShakes started in 2008, when U.S. émigrés and Simpli co-founders Helena Lumme and Mika Manninen were visiting their native Finland and tasted their first oat-based smoothie and decided soon after to bring it to the U.S. Headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Simpli OatShakes are the first of many wholesome foods being introduced by Simpli.